Burma's opposition leader set to speak

Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's pro-democracy leader who spent 15 years under house arrest, will give two of the 2011 BBC Reith lectures.

The two pre-recorded lectures will be broadcast in June and July and will focus on the struggle for democracy in Burma, which is ruled by a military dictatorship.

She said: "The freedom to make contact with other human beings with whom you may wish to share your thoughts and your hopes, your laughter and at times even your anger and indignation, is a right that should never be violated."

Three other Reith lectures will be given by ex-MI5 director general Baroness Manningham-Buller, on the impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks and the role played by the intelligence services.